Before the widespread use of the internet, what happened in Perak would have been a done deal, without a squeak from the public…well, any noise would not be known without the newspapers, radio and television stations mentioning it.
Now, nothing can be completely covered up. Anything newsworthy can be posted in numerous websites and blogsites which can be forwarded by anyone who finds it interesting, to friends and family members all over the world.
Someone asks if it is possible to stop the internet. Well, even if the government were silly enough to consider closing all the gaps, it would seriously affect the banking and other industries, which rely on online transactions and transmissions. It would be turning the clock back without being able to effectively curb the spread of adverse criticisms of the government.
What is posted, cannot be completely retracted because someone, somewhere might have saved it in his computer. In any case, even deleted stuff can be retrieved by computer whiz.
Anyway, it is so easy to spin in the net. Take for example, an article about the goodness of bananas. I can easily use the same details and substitute with another fruit, and forward it to a few friends. If the original article is well written and convincing enough, the recipients would think it is good enough to let others know about it by forwarding to numerous addressees in their contact list!
Later this morning, I would expect some exciting news, probably some gaffes by either side of the political divide. Somehow, I would not be surprised with some state assemblymen missing for one reason or the other! I secretly hope for some turncoats to turn over… fat hope really.
Last Christmas evening, I attended a charity dinner in Pusing where Speaker, Sivakumar and Deputy Speaker, Hee Yit Foong were guests of honour. Besides Sivakumar, Hee gave a speech too and I can still recall she said she was grateful for the support the people had given her in the last election. A committee member of the organizers actually had a heart attack while sitting next to Siva, and he died soon after admission to Batu Gajah hospital. Was it a bad omen? I wonder.
Is there a silver lining for our silver state of Perak at the State Assembly sitting?
I have my doubts as the expected pomp and pageantry in the presence of our Sultan and strong police presence will give the impression that it is ‘all proper’ as far as they are concerned and we can either ‘take it or leave it’.
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